On June 6, at approximately 11:17 a.m., officers with the Great Bend Police Department responded to the 900 block of Macarthur Road following a report of a theft in progress. The Barton County Sheriff’s Office and the Kansas Highway Patrol assisted at the scene until additional GBPD units arrived.
During the investigation, officers learned that several large spools of wire cable—used in oil field operations—had been stolen through a theft by deception. Although the suspect was not present at the scene, through witness interviews officers were able to gather a vehicle and suspect description. Follow-up investigation led to the identification of Robert Streiner, age 46, as the primary suspect.
At approximately 3:16 p.m. the same day, a GBPD officer observed Streiner travelling in a vehicle in the 2200 block of Adams Street. A traffic stop was initiated, during which K9 Niko was deployed for a free-air sniff. A subsequent search of the vehicle revealed open containers of alcohol and a crystal-like substance that field-tested positive for methamphetamine. Streiner was taken into custody after admitting to both the theft and possession of narcotics. He was booked into the Barton County Jail on charges of felony theft and possession of methamphetamine, in lieu of bond.
The driver of the vehicle, Cindy Blake, age 50, was placed under arrest for transporting open containers of liquor. Upon arrival at the Barton County Jail, deputies discovered a concealed bag of methamphetamine on her person. Blake was subsequently booked for introduction of contraband into a correctional facility, possession of methamphetamine and transporting an open container of liquor, in lieu of bond.
Over the following weekend, investigators located portions of the stolen property at a business in Stockton, Kansas, with the remaining items found at a separate business in Kearney, Nebraska. GBPD has been in contact with the victim and both business owners to arrange for the return of the stolen property.